Portland Real Estate Blog
This is a top 100 real estate blog in the world according to Feedspot.com. In particular, this is a local real estate blog written by a top 1% real estate agent in the U.S., Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor. Stephen regularly reports on the greater Portland metro area’s real estate market including annual housing forecasts and best time to sell or buy a home reports. He gives home selling and home buying professional advice. He also writes informative articles on Portland neighborhoods and suburbs as they relate to the real estate market. Finally, he writes to inform the general public about real estate agents, such as annual average real estate agent commission reports and more.
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Best Time to Sell or Buy a HomeCategory Best Time to Sell or Buy a Home
Every year Stephen FitzMaurice, top 1% agent in the U.S. writes a best time of the year to sell a… Read More
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Buy a Home in PortlandCategory Buy a Home in Portland
Kami Price, Principal Broker is our lead buyer's agent and a top 1% buyer's agent in the Portland metro area.… Read More
Subcategories- Buyer Closing Costs
- Buying a Condo in Portland
- Coming Soon and Pocket Listings
- Deeds, Title, and Escrow
- Downpayment Grants for Home Buyers
- Portland Housing Affordability
- Portland School Ratings
- Rent vs Buy Reports
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Construction Rates, ADUS, and ZoningCategory Construction Rates, ADUS, and Zoning
Supply vs. demand drives the Portland real estate market. Increased zoning density, ADU opportunities, and new home construction rates can… Read More
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Portland Home HazardsCategory Portland Home Hazards
Portland, Oregon, like any other city is home to many hazards for home buyers and sellers. We have flood risks,… Read More
Subcategories- Portland Earthquakes and Landslides
- Portland Flood Maps and Updates
- Portland Mold Problems
- Portland Radon Maps and Updates
- Portland Underground Oil Tanks
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Portland Landlord InformationCategory Portland Landlord Information
Landlord laws in Portland, Oregon are extensive and constantly changing. We report on these changes and give researched articles on… Read More
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Portland Neighborhood ReportsCategory Portland Neighborhood Reports
Out of Love for Portland Portland, Oregon is an amazing place with distinct neighborhoods, each with its own attractions and… Read More
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Portland Real EstateCategory Portland Real Estate
While everything in our blog could fall under the general category of Portland real estate, we decided to put Portland… Read More
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Portland Real Estate AgentsCategory Portland Real Estate Agents
Curious about Realtors? We write regular articles about average real estate agent commission rates, the number of real estate agents… Read More
Subcategories- EXP Realty
- How Many Realtors Are There
- How Much Do Realtors Make
- How to Pick a Real Estate Agent
- Portland Realtor Awards
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Portland Real Estate MarketCategory Portland Real Estate Market
The Portland real estate market is always changing. It takes a very busy real estate agent, top 1% in Portland,… Read More
Subcategories- Portland Condo Market
- Portland Real Estate Market Forecasts
- Portland Real Estate Market Monthly Reports
- Portland Short Sale and Foreclosure Market
- Portland, Oregon Population Growth or Decline
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Portland Real Estate Suburb ReportsCategory Portland Real Estate Suburb Reports
We write regular reports on each Portland suburb's real estate market including current performance and forecasts, as well as informational… Read More
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Real Estate Commission RatesCategory Real Estate Commission Rates
Real estate commission rates are a hot topic in the real estate industry and important to my clients. Since the… Read More
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Real Estate TechnologyCategory Real Estate Technology
As a top real estate team in the U.S. it has been crucial for us to stay on top of… Read More
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Sell a Home in PortlandCategory Sell a Home in Portland
Top 1% Seller's Agent Planning on selling a home in the next year or so? You've come to the right… Read More
Subcategories- For Sale By Owner Reports
- How many Days or Showings to Sell
- How to Sell an Inherited Home
- Portland Home Energy Score
- Portland Home Value
- Professional Home Staging and Tips
- Reasons Why a Home Sells or Doesn't
- Seller Closing Costs
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What Causes a Home to Sell for MoreCategory What Causes a Home to Sell for More
Different types of homes sell faster than others (much faster). We provide the research. Whether you're considering adding a bathroom… Read More
Subcategories- ADU Homes Sell for More Reports
- Bedroom Suite Homes Sell for More
- Septic Sells for More than Sewer Reports
- Single Level Homes Sell for More Reports
- Swimming Pool Homes Sell for Less Reports
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Buyer Closing Costs
What is Title Insurance and Who Pays for It?
Buying or selling a home means anticipating costs, some of which are closing costs. In Oregon, most of the amount needed at closing is for title insurance. This type of insurance isn’t required by law in Oregon. However, most lenders require it to ensure a smooth transition from seller to buyer and to protect their […]
Who Pays for Title Insurance? Oregon Closing Costs
When’s the last time you heard of someone losing their home because an unsatisfied heir of a previous owner laid claim to it? You probably haven’t because of title insurance, an often-overlooked component of real estate transactions. In Oregon, title insurance represents a lion’s share of the average home seller’s closing costs, but home buyers […]
Home Buyers and Seller Closing Costs – Portland, Oregon Metro Area Report
Updated 8/22/2023. For some people, “closing costs” is a vague term attached to selling or buying a home. Many aren’t clear about who pays what. Educating yourself on this part of the home selling/buying process is essential for a successful and surprise-free transaction. Closing costs vary from state to state. Also, because they’re based on […]
Buyers Agent Commission Rates
Average Buyers Agent Real Estate Commission, 2023 Report
I love writing about real estate commission. Licensed for 20 years now, I have always been surprised when Realty companies and other real estate agents are hush-hush about their commission rates. I have the opposite approach. My commission rates are transparent and upfront and I write annual reports on local and national real estate commission […]
Average Buyers Agent Commission, Portland 2022 Report
Buyers agent commission has been in the news a lot lately. The National Association of Realtors recently approved multiple MLS (multiple listing services) across the country to display publicly what commission the buyer’s agent would earn if they brought a buyer. This comes after the Department of Justice started and investigation into industry commission practices. […]
Portland Real Estate Buyers Agent Commission Rates 2021
Real Estate Commission is not typically split 50/50 between the sellers and buyers agent. Many sellers assume that real estate commission, whether they are paying their real estate agent 6%, 5%, 4%, or something else, is simply split 50/50 with the buyers agent. This would be a false assumption. All real estate commissions and negotiable […]
Buying a Condo in Portland
Buying a Condo in Portland? 10 Things to Know
Homeownership in Portland might initially seem prohibitive with rising real estate prices and the highest mortgage rates we’ve seen in a few years. At the same time, condominiums have taken a different price trajectory, offering a glimmer of hope for buyers searching for a condo in Portland. Our interactive real estate map shows every condo […]
Portland Condos for Sale: 2021 Buyers’ Guide
We’re fully immersed in the summer real estate market in Portland now, and that means excellent opportunities to become a condo owner. Amid the hot seller’s market, condos make for an affordable choice in Portland. And the variety on the market – from style to price – might surprise you. But how to navigate the […]
Portland Condo Market: the Affordable Choice for 2021
If you’ve been looking for a new home and are on a budget, you might be laughing at our headline right now. Affordable? Does affordability even exist in Portland these days? Trust us, then, that not only do plenty of affordable homes exist in Portland but that many are condos. Stay with me. The word […]
Choosing a Buyers Agent
What is a Showing Agent in Real Estate?
It is pretty easy to tell the difference between a seller’s agent and a buyer’s agent in real estate, but what about a showing agent? Before I answer that question, I want you to know that in Oregon there is only one license, Broker, with two levels, Broker and Principal Broker. Real estate agent is […]
What is an Exclusive Buyers Agent Agreement and Should I Sign One?
Updated March 2024. Exclusive buyers agent agreements are highly debated among professional Realtors. Some real estate agents would never work with a home buyer unless they sign one, and other buyer’s agents have never used an exclusive buyer’s agent agreement and never want to use one (though the industry may soon force their hand). Buyers […]
5 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Buyers Agent
Purchasing the wrong home in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time can cost a home buyer money, peace of mind, and cause undo stress for years on end. So why do many buyers pick their closest friend or the first referral that comes along to be their buyer’s agent? For starters, they might think […]
Choosing a Sellers Agent
Real Estate Agent vs. Sellers Agent Specialist: What’s the difference?
Portland’s real estate landscape is vast! There’s a specialist for nearly every activity — and that’s a good thing. To have a hassle-free real estate transaction, you need someone handling the mortgage, someone looking at the title, someone inspecting the home, etc. That’s why a system has developed over the decades in which, in a […]
Selling a Home for the First Time? 5 Things Your Agent May Not Tell You
Real estate agents want your business and they especially want a new listing. While most agents are trained and licensed to put your interests first, it is also important to learn the essentials and advocate for yourself. We will help you understand the basic costs of selling a home (beyond commissions), the best time of […]
What Interview Questions to Ask a Realtor Before you Sell a Home?
Updated 03/2024 About to interview a Realtor to sell your home? Whether you were recommended to this real estate agent by a friend or you found the Realtor online, the next best step is to interview the agent at your home. Yes, you could interview the Realtor online or on the phone, but we recommend […]
Stephen made the experience of selling my first house seamless. I live in another state but he kept me informed and moved the process along without a hitch. The only thing another agent could have done differently was charge a much higher commission. I only wish he was able help me purchase in my state. Highly recommend his service and business model.
Julie